State

SANTA FE ― Due to conditions, to include fuel moisture levels, air quality and weather forecasts, fire managers on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) delayed the start of the East Rowe Mesa area prescribed burn to Wednesday, March 7.

The treatment is designed to improve wildlife habitat and promote forest health. As weather conditions permit, the East Rowe Mesa prescribed burn could continue into April.

Up to 5,000 acres of the 22,000-acre project area are expected to be treated in the East Rowe Mesa area by hand and aerial

ALBUQUERQUE ― During National Consumer Protection Week, Attorney General Hector Balderas urges New Mexico consumers to get the FACTS about their finances.

The New Mexico Office of Attorney General receives frequent complaints of finance-related problems—that is, problems with debt collectors, banks and credit unions, and also the payment of loans, including student loans and mortgages.

Attorney General Balderas advises, “Educating yourself on your own financial strengths and weaknesses is the first step to controlling your financial

New Mexico Press Women announces its program for its 2018 state conference, “Telling Truths Boldly: Harnessing the Narrative Drive,” April 27 and April 28 at the Lodge at Santa Fe.

The conference, geared toward writers and communicators from a variety of genres, will feature talks, panels and a memoir writing workshop.

New Mexico Press Women, an affiliate of the National Federation of Press Women, is New Mexico’s largest inclusive media organization and is open to men and women. Conference registration is open through April 12 at newmexicopresswomen.org.

ALBUQUERQUE ― U.S. Attorney John C. Anderson, Special Agent in Charge Terry Wade of the FBI’s Albuquerque Division and Chief James Gimler of the Hatch Police Department announced that Jesse Denver Hanes, who shot and killed Hatch Police Officer Jose Chavez Aug. 12, 2016, was sentenced today to a lifetime of imprisonment for his conviction on federal firearms and carjacking charges arising out of his efforts to evade arrest following the shooting.

Hanes was also ordered to pay a total of $38,553.02 in restitution to the victims of his crimes.

Voices of Los Alamos will host a special meeting with speaker Francisco Figueroa, No Labels NM State Director, who will discuss how we can reshape American politics.

The talk is 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. March 12, at the Unitarian Church, 1738 N. Sage Loop, in Los Alamos, New Mexico. The public is welcome to attend.

Founded in 2010, No Labels (www.nolabels.org) is a bi-partisan citizens’ movement that believes in creating a stabilizing force within Congress that brings our country together despite differences of ideologies.

SANTA FE ― New Mexico Historic Sites will host the following series of public events this spring:

Saturday, March 24 ... 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

New Mexico Art Auction

Coronado Historic Site

All cultures art auction of old and new pottery, furniture, glass, paintings, textiles, toys, musical instruments, sculptures and much more. All profits go to support Kuaua Pueblo at Coronado Historic Site. Sponsored by the Friends of Coronado Historic Site, the event will start with a preview of auction items between 9 a.m. and noon. The auction begins at 1 p.m. at the Prairie Star, 288

GUADALUPITA ― Around 4 p.m., Feb. 26, New Mexico State Police officers responded to State Road 434 in Guadalupita, between Mora and Angel Fire, for a reported assault with a deadly weapon call.

The initial investigation determined that Anthony Gabriel Valdez, 28, of Mora, pointed a rifle at his ex-girlfriend while she was in her vehicle. As she drove away from him he fired at least one shot, which struck the back of her vehicle.

State Police officers quickly located Valdez who still had the rifle in his possession.

ARLINGTON, VA — HDA (Healthcare Distribution Alliance) President and CEO John M. Gray released the following statement in response to Attorney General Jeff Sessions' recent memo regarding opioid production quotas:

“We welcome Attorney General Sessions’ call to evaluate potential changes to the annual production quotas for opioids. This critical step reflects the growing recognition of the federal government’s role in addressing this public health crisis.

SANTA FE ― Friday, the New Mexico Economic Development Department (NMEDD) announced that the Department is soliciting applications for Opportunity Zone designations from each County through March 21.

NMEDD will then submit a list of priorities to the Governor for her nomination. Designation as an Opportunity Zone aims to encourage investment and grow the economy in lower income areas of the state with tax advantages.

"We're excited to move forward with the designation process as we look for opportunities to create a healthier economy," Economic Development Cabinet

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Thursday, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) cosponsored the America's College Promise Act, which would provide two years of free community college and create an affordable pathway to a four-year college degree for low-income students.

“There's no question that in order to continue to grow our economy, we must have a well-educated and well-trained workforce,” Heinrich said.

SANTA FE – Last night, a bill to ensure more efficiency in school budgets was signed by Gov. Susana Martinez.

House Bill 188, sponsored by Rep. George Dodge (D-Santa Rosa), amends the Public School Finance Act to allocate funds more equitably among schools.

“We need to ensure that every child has access to a quality education, regardless of their background or their zip code,” Rep. George Dodge said. “This bill gives more funding to schools with higher numbers of at-risk students, and to schools with more experienced staff.

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Monday, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Ashlynne Mike AMBER Alert in Indian Country Act, bipartisan legislation that was cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ).

The bill provides funding and other support for expanding the AMBER Alert system to provide full access for those on Tribal lands. A similar bill has been introduced in the Senate by Sen. John McCain (R-AZ).

William Robert Lancaster IV, 36, of Albuquerque, was arrested on a federal bank robbery charge for allegedly robbing a Wells Fargo in northeast Albuquerque Monday, Feb. 26.

The FBI is seeking to talk to a driver who allegedly gave the suspect a ride from a business near the bank to another location about three and a half miles away, where Lancaster was detained by the Albuquerque Police Department.

The driver, who witnesses said was approached by Lancaster after the robbery, is considered a witness and not a suspect at this time.

Land of Enchantment Wildlife Foundation Chairman James Robinson with photos of Blue Beary, discovered weighing just 6 lbs., and with a severely broken arm. She was operated on and healed by wildlife rehabilitator Dr. Kathleen Ramsey and released back into the wild in late 2017. Courtesy photo

By JAMES ROBINSON, Chairman

Land of Enchantment Wildlife Foundation

We here in Los Alamos are so lucky to live in a town that has such a close connection to the amazing abundance of wildlife New Mexico has to offer

One of the greatest opportunities I have had is to be a champion and advocate for the

U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce speaks confidently about the future of LANL during an interview this afternoon with Publisher Carol A. Clark at the Los Alamos Daily Post World Headquarters in downtown Los Alamos. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

ALBUQUERQUE ― The FBI has filed federal charges against two New Mexico men for using social media platforms to post school shootings threats, announced U.S. Attorney John C. Anderson and Special Agent in Charge Terry Wade of the FBI’s Albuquerque Division.

The criminal charges arise from tips received by the FBI and its law enforcement partners since the recent school shooting in Parkland, Fla.

“The Department of Justice will investigate and prosecute school shooting threats on social media platforms, which have recently spread like wildfire in the District of New